Changes

Last night my stomach pains continued until I finally broke down and took a Zantac pill around 7pm. Finally the pains went away! It is weird because I think when I eat lots of nuts, I get stomach pains. I almost always get pains from eating a Larabar (although they don’t last that long). I wonder if it is the higher fat foods that bother me? I’m assuming my meal yesterday was very high in fat due to all the nuts they use for sauces and creams. For example, the frosting on the carrot cake was made from nuts (macadamia nuts I think?).

Neither of us were hungry for dinner at all! That tells me that the meal I had was probably VERY high in calories because I am usually the type of person who eats every couple hours! All I had was some toast and margarine. I figured it would be easier to digest.

After that I unpacked my Supermarket Sweep loot! I got many comments yesterday when I made reference to this show! I was so happy others remember it as fondly as I do. Supermarket Sweep used to be my FAVOURITE GAME SHOW!!! It was honestly the best! :)

So even though Eric said, “Get whatever you want”, I refrained myself quite a bit!! lol. I had my eye on a juicer and a food dehydrator, but I resisted. :)

Here is what I got:

Top left, going clockwise: Storage containers for Glo Bakery, a Book stand (they had many kinds but I just got the cheapest one for $6!), a dough scraper, a multi purpose turn table (for decorating cookies and cupcakes), tea towels (I got dark ones because they hide stains better), bowl covers, a baking mat, popsicle makers!!!

I also got a few spice jars because I have needed some for ages!

The book stand in action! It’s simple and does the trick.

And the BIG GIFT!!! A new Kitchenaid Food Processor! :) That I decided on after much researching and then playing with all of them in the store.

I am so excited for this! My old food processor has been on the fritz for months now and it is so frustrating to use it.

Eric teased me because I am ‘so practical’. He says, I told you to get anything you wanted and this is all you get??? lol. :)

We decided against going to the Comedy Club last night because my stomach was still not feeling great and we were both exhausted!! We decided on a romantic, candle-lit 24 marathon. We watched 3 episodes! We are now on Episode 17 of the current season. I made it all the way til 12:15 before I finally fell asleep during the last 10 mins. of episode 17. I was zonked!!

It was a really fun night! :) And a great way to end my birthday!

I got the most touching gift from my mom!!!! I have been just dying to post about it.

Look at the email my mom sent me a few days ago:

Hi Ange, Since I won’t be seeing you on your birthday, I have attached a pic of one of your wrapped gifts to be unveiled on Saturday via email. You can keep guessing until then — ha ha! Love, Mom

And here is the teaser pic:

And here is the email she sent me on my birthday yesterday:

Hi Ange, How is the Birthday girl?? Looks like you had a fun night planned, and I hope you all enjoyed yourself. I have attached a poem I created for you about your cupcakes along with the mock up of Glo Bakery.com shop. I had a lot of fun creating it and hope it brings a smile to your face on this special day. I wish I could be there with you today! Love, Mom XXOO

She even got the Glo Bakery logo on there!!!

Click to enlarge!!!!!!

The poem zoomed in:

I’m not going to lie, I teared up when I saw this!!!!!! I was so touched that she did this for me. I told her it is the first thing that is going up in my future bakery. :) I am also going to put it up in the kitchen so I can see it everytime I am baking. :) What a mom!!!!! :) :)

Well, it is clear that I had a rocking birthday!!! I am so lucky to have all of you wonderful and amazing people in my life. I reflected a lot yesterday about where I was a year ago, and it is crazy the amount of change I have been through:

Spring 2008- Started full time research job while in grad school full time

January 2009: Left job and pursued my life’s dream of starting up a healthy bakery

And the rest was history as they say!!!!!

I have been meaning to thank all of you who gave me such great advice and support when I first wrote about wanting to be happier with my career.

I got flooded with comments and emails about it and some of you even shared similar stories telling me that you left well paying jobs to do what you REALLY LOVED to do. I don’t think I would have been able to do it without your support!!! :)

When I left my job it was probably the hardest decision that I have EVER made. I had so many sleepless nights where I would silently cry myself to sleep over it all. But I can honestly say that you don’t experience greatness in life unless you take some big risks.

Since my last birthday I feel like I have grown so much. I feel wiser and more confidant in myself and my abilities. 2008 was truly a testing year for me, but it made me all the stronger.

You’ve definitely come a long way in one year. You should be so proud of everything you’ve accomplished! You’ve made some difficult decisions, but I’m certain it will be worth every last stressful day in the end! :)

Totally fun kitchen-ware finds at the store! Have a great time using them all!

Ahh, I’m so sorry you felt so terrible after Live! That makes me so sad! :(

Maybe you should have just stuck to one thing, instead of trying lots of things? It may have been the variety and the amount of food which made you feel sick. And yes, nuts are more difficult for our bodies to digest, and so they can sometimes cause tummy pains. Maybe next time just try one thing? The last time I went, I didn’t have any appetizers and just had the ‘Canadian Pizza’ as my entree and I felt great. Hope you do give it another try!

Hey Ange,
I was suffering from some pretty painful indigestion from a while, and know the feeling of small cramps from Larabars. I’ve been reaing a great book by Dr.Gillian McKeith who talks a lot about food combining. Basically if you combine fruit with anything, you will get indigestion and gas (Larabars= fruit and nuts). She also says starches mixed with proteins can do the same things. I think you normally eat very clean and pure, and eat different food categories separately for the most part, so all the combining of proteins, starches and possibly fruit in this meal may have done your stomach in. I’m not a pro on the subject but hope this helps! I’ve been eating my veggies and carbs together, proteins and veggies together and fruit all on it’s own (wait at least 20 minutes before eating anything else) and have been feeling much better for it!

Happy belated birthday by the way, your blog has been a huge inspiration to me and my personal health. I now enjoy green monsters with greens plus every day and my energy levels are awesome!

Hello!
I too get stomach pains post larabar. I wondered whether it was the density of the food since it was the only thing I was eating that was quite that thick (for want of a better term). As Gillian says above, it could also be food combining. I know that Natalia Rose also says to keep fruit separate. I just stopped eating them to avoid the post-eating uncomfortableness.
On another note – woo hoo for the food processor! I am just mildly envious ;o)
Have a great day,
Emily.